EXCLUSIVE: ‘He says I’m not the woman he married’: Ola Jordan admits husband James likes to ‘take the mickey’ out of her ‘mum bod’ and says she ‘always struggled with her weight’ as she discusses THAT bikini snap
Ola Jordan has spoken out about learning to accept her ‘mum bod’ after bravely sharing her bikini snap, admitting she’s ‘always struggled with my weight’.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 39, was inundated with support after her post in which she admitted to being ‘horrified’ and ‘shocked’ over her fuller physique.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Ola revealed that husband James, 44, loves to ‘take the mickey’ out of her for her weight, but she takes it right back, pointing out that she’s had a baby and asking ‘what’s James’ excuse?’
Now: Ola Jordan has spoken out about learning to accept her ‘mum bod’ after bravely sharing her bikini clad snap, admitting she’s ‘always struggled with my weight’ (pictured right in 2011)
However, she admits she knows ‘he loves me whatever size I am’, despite neither of them being in ‘Strictly shape’.
She said: ‘You know what James is like – he’s always taking the mickey. He jokes I’m not the woman he married but then I say to him – what about you and your big belly?!
‘But obviously we don’t really mean it – much! I know he loves me whatever size I am but let’s face it neither of us look in Strictly shape do we – so we’ve got matching mum and dad bods now!’
The mum-of-one opened up on how her priorities have changed since having her two-year-daughter Ella, with her no longer worrying as much about her diet.
Jokester: Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Ola revealed that husband James, 44, loves to ‘take the mickey’ out of her for her weight, but she takes it right back, pointing out that she’s had a baby and asking ‘what’s James’ excuse?’ (pictured in 2019)
Hitting back! She said: ‘You know what James is like – he’s always taking the mickey. He jokes I’m not the woman he married but then I say to him – what about you and your big belly?!’ (pictured in December 2021)
She said: ‘To be honest I’ve always struggled with my weight. I was always one of the curviest girls on Strictly amongst the professional dancers.
‘It’s never been easy for me. So now it’s been enjoyable not to be watching what I’ve been eating and to have a drink and some chocolate when I want.
‘And definitely since having Ella my priorities have changed – she is my number one priority now. So I have better things to think about than a 24 inch waist!’
She added: ‘My outlook has totally changed since being a mother. I’m looking after this little person who totally depends on me, so worrying about how I look is not top of my list.’
New focus: The mum-of-one opened up on how her priorities have changed since having her two-year-daughter Ella, with her no longer worrying as much about her diet
Despite this, Ola confesses she still has her low moments, often feeling like she’s not in the ‘right body’.
She said: ‘I don’t feel like I’m in my right body because I’ve never been this big before and I’m not used to having to cover up my body and hide away behind baggy clothes.’
Ola previously shared that her bikini snap with James, was a ‘turning point’ in regaining her body confidence, remarking that she doesn’t want to ‘accept my body like this.’
Explaining why she felt it was important to share the photo, she said: ‘When I first saw the picture (which a friend took at our house) I was absolutely horrified – and mortified.
Down days: Despite this, Ola confesses she still has her low moments, often feeling like she’s not in the ‘right body’
‘You know what it’s like, if you’ve put on a bit of weight, you hide away in baggy clothes and avoid looking in full Iength mirrors! So this was a bit of a shock.
‘But I thought – you know what I’ve had a baby and no I don’t look like I did in my time on Strictly – but I’m not dancing for six hours a day. So I thought I should just be honest and share it because this is mum life right?
She quipped: ‘Also I’m not alone – I’ve had a baby. What’s James’s excuse?’
Positive response: Despite being nervous about what the response would be, Ola reveals she has been inundated with positive and supportive messages
Despite being nervous about what the response would be, Ola reveals she has been inundated with positive and supportive messages.
She said: ‘I was nervous that people would be really mean because I don’t look like the girl in the catsuit any more.
‘But actually I’ve been overwhelmed with how supportive people have been. I’ve not had one nasty message at all.’
Ola – who along with James has been classed as ‘clinically obese’ – admitted in a candid Instagram video that she fears she may never get her dancer’s figure back.
Worries: Ola – who along with James has been classed as ‘clinically obese’ – admitted in a candid Instagram video that she fears she may never get her dancer’s figure back
Speaking in their joint column in Hello! magazine, Ola and James – who quit Strictly in 2015 – told how they difficult it is to lose the pounds amid raising Ella, before adding they are motivated to do so for the sake of the tot.
Ola went on to say that she felt like she was ‘hiding’ previously, but has been warmed by the overwhelming support she received from her picture as she told how people could relate as it’s ‘hard’ to lose the weight.
She explained: ‘Especially with Instagram, you do see perfect bodies all the time, perfect lives, and perfect outfits. But there’s a lot of people who don’t look like that, who don’t look perfect. It makes you feel like you’ve failed in life when you let yourself go a bit, especially when you were a professional dancer for a living. It’s hard, really hard. I don’t have the time to exercise.’
Ola told how she finds it ‘difficult’ to exercise as she spends her days looking after her daughter, and even if she does get to the gym, she’s thinking about her girl and yearns to spend time with her.
James also credited their weight gain to their unhealthy eating habits, noting that he and Ola would often scoff crisps and chocolates while watching TV.
He went on to say that the couple checked their weight online and discovered they were clinically classed as ‘obese’ for their height, noting that it was ‘not great’ as it put pressure on their organs.
He said of the weight gain: ‘I feel I move differently. I don’t feel as agile. I’m an older dad and I want to be agile for my daughter. We are at the stage where we both look at each other and think, “Who are you?” I sometimes Google ourselves and “Look what we used to look like.”
Supported: Ola went on to say that she felt like she was ‘hiding’ previously, but has been warmed by the overwhelming support she received from her picture as she told how people could relate as it’s ‘hard’ to lose the weight (pictured in 2010)
The pair went on to say that they are determined to be a ‘good example’ to their daughter, with Ola admitting that her recent post was ‘my turning point’ and that ‘something needs to be done’.
She explained: ‘I don’t want to just accept my body like this. I don’t want to be overweight and fat. I want to live as long as I possibly can for Ella. I want to show her that I’m healthy and I don’t feel like we’re doing that right now.’
On Thursday, the ballroom dancer took to Instagram to thank fans for their support over her bikini picture, with the video seeing her admit she’s ’embarrassed’ at how she looks and fears she’ll never regain her former trim physique.
Family: Ola and James told how they difficult it is to lose the pounds amid raising their two-year-old daughter Ella, before adding they are motivated to do so for the sake of the tot
Tough: ‘It makes you feel like you’ve failed in life when you let yourself go a bit, especially when you were a professional dancer for a living. It’s hard, really hard. I don’t have the time to exercise’ (pictured in 2021)
Wearing a pink bikini for the clip, Ola said: ‘Hi guys, I just wanted to say thank you so much for your lovely messages after y last post. I’ve got to say it’s so nice to see that I’m not alone and a lot of you go through the same thing as me.
‘It is quite embarrassing that I’m being a dancer and I struggle with all this weight I put on, but my priority is Ella. She is taking over my life and it is all about her now.’
She concluded: ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever get back to my dancing body again. I would love to but I don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon.’
It comes after the ex Strictly champion took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a picture of herself and her husband soaking up the sun by their swimming pool.
Revealing all: James said the couple checked their weight online and discovered they were clinically classed as ‘obese’ for their height, noting that it was ‘not great’ as it put pressure on their organs
She put on a vibrant display in a hot-pink two-piece as she cosied up to her dancer husband James, who went shirtless in a pair of cream boardshorts.
Ola, who appeared on the BBC dance contest from 2006 to 2015, showed off her natural good looks and styled her golden tresses in a straight fashion.
In a caption, the British-Polish ballroom dancer candidly admitted she felt ‘horrified’ and ‘disappointed’ at her ‘mum bod’, saying she was posting the snap to ‘motivate’ herself.
Open: On Thursday, the ballroom dancer took to Instagram to thank fans for their support over her bikini picture, with the video seeing her admit she’s ’embarrassed’ at how she looks and fears she’ll never regain her former trim physique
The way she was: I don’t know if I’ll ever get back to my dancing body again. I would love to but I don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon’ (pictured in 2006)
She penned: ‘Hi guys, I wasn’t going to post this picture but I’ve decided to because I’m horrified and so disappointed with myself and by posting it I’m hoping it will help motivate me to do something about it.
‘Our friend took this snap of us yesterday trying to stay cool by the pool but OMG… it was a total shock to say the least! When did we get ‘mum and dad bods’ ????
‘We know we’re not in our best Strictly shape but hey that’s what happens when you stop dancing for hours every day and have a baby (I just want to know James’ excuse)
‘Disappointed’: In a caption of her post, the British-Polish ballroom dancer candidly admitted she felt ‘horrified’ at her ‘mum bod’, saying she was posting the snap to ‘motivate’ herself
Parents: Ola and James – who starred as a Strictly professional from 2006 to 2013 – tied the knot back in 2003 and welcomed their first child Ella, now two, together in 2020
‘Stay cool everyone. I think I need to avoid the ice cream for a while!!! Couples That Eat Together Stay Together ❤️ @jamesjordan1978.’
Her celebrity pals were quick to flock to the comments to send her words of support, gushing that she looks ‘stunning’ and ‘gorgeous’ and urging her to go easy on herself.
Love Island star Laura Anderson said: ‘Stunning as always ola you were always my strictly inspo watching for years, so beautiful and talented and trust me you still are.
‘Enjoy your food booze and family time it’s way more fun than keeping up a six pack let’s be honest.’
Positivity: Her celebrity pals were quick to flock to the comments to send her words of support, gushing that she looks ‘stunning’ and ‘gorgeous’ and urging her to go easy on herself
Figure skater Alexandra Schauman added: ‘Still looking gorgeous and thank you for sharing.’
While Charlotte Crosby – who is currently expecting her first child – penned: ‘You both still look bloody amazing! Hate to read you put yourself down! You are stunning ola! And both amazing people abs parents.’ (sic)
And Alex Murphy commented: ‘You two look absolutely perfect. Love you both.’
Actress Ali Bastian, who previously competed on Strictly, wrote: ‘I love you for posting this! You look beautiful, you guys look fab!
‘D and I are in very different shape since having a little one and also parenting in a pandemic has been insane!!!!! We need to all cut ourselves some slack!! Loads of love to you both.’
Struggles: Ella was conceived after one round of IVF, with Ola and James previously being incredibly open about their battle to have a child
Ola and James – who starred as a Strictly professional from 2006 to 2013 – tied the knot back in 2003 and welcomed their first child Ella together in 2020.
Ella, now two, was conceived after one round of IVF, with Ola and James previously being incredibly open about their battle to have a child.
Last year, Ola said she would have prioritised starting a family earlier if she knew she would struggle to fall pregnant.
She told The Sun: ‘You don’t think you’re going to have to go through IVF until it doesn’t happen for a long time and you go ‘right there’s a problem, we need to look into it’.’
‘So I suppose I would try earlier. But then we had a career, we were doing things, we were busy. I suppose you’re never ready but I definitely would (have tried earlier) if I knew I was going to struggle to get pregnant.’
Couple: Last year, Ola said she would have prioritised starting a family earlier if she knew she would struggle to fall pregnant (pictured on Strictly in 2012)
Ola said her and James were both focused on their careers, saying: ‘You have to pick between something like Strictly or having a family, unfortunately.’
The star said she would have been unable to do Strictly – which she starred on from 2006-2015 – with a baby as the BBC show is a ‘six or seven month’ commitment and she did not have anyone to look after her child.
The couple are hoping to have another child, with Ola recently telling Ok! magazine: ‘Yeah. I would love to have another baby.
‘We’re not thinking about another baby yet though. I’d love Ella to have a sibling – more for her than anything. She’s quite hard work at the moment, so I can’t imagine it but yeah, we would love to have more.’
Sweet: The couple are hoping to have another child, with Ola recently telling Ok! magazine: ‘Yeah. I would love to have another baby’
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